1. What is Fraction Multiplication?

Fraction multiplication involves multiplying the numerators together and the denominators together. The product of two fractions is a new fraction where the numerator is the product of the original numerators and the denominator is the product of the original denominators.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the fraction multiplication formula:

Where:

• \( a \) — First numerator
• \( b \) — First denominator
• \( c \) — Second numerator
• \( d \) — Second denominator

Explanation: The calculator multiplies the numerators (a × c) and denominators (b × d) separately, then simplifies the resulting fraction by dividing both numerator and denominator by their greatest common divisor.

3. Importance of Fraction Multiplication

Details: Fraction multiplication is fundamental in mathematics, used in scaling recipes, calculating probabilities, determining areas, and solving many real-world problems involving ratios and proportions.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter all four values (two numerators and two denominators). Denominators cannot be zero. The calculator will show both the fractional result (simplified if possible) and the decimal equivalent.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Can I multiply fractions with different denominators?
A: Yes! Unlike addition, fraction multiplication doesn't require common denominators. You simply multiply numerators and denominators directly.

Q2: What if one denominator is zero?
A: Division by zero is undefined. The calculator requires all denominators to be non-zero numbers.

Q3: Does the order of multiplication matter?
A: No, fraction multiplication is commutative: a/b × c/d = c/d × a/b.

Q4: How does the calculator simplify fractions?
A: It finds the greatest common divisor (GCD) of the numerator and denominator, then divides both by this number.

Q5: Can I enter mixed numbers?
A: This calculator requires proper or improper fractions. Convert mixed numbers to improper fractions first (e.g., 1½ becomes 3/2).